Youngster Brovsky proving vital for Vancouver midfield

It’s been a story of ups and downs for the Vancouver Whitecaps in their first season in Major League Soccer, but for rookie Jeb Brovsky, it’s been a tale of gradual progression.

The Whitecaps selected the Colorado native 19th in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, and Brovsky made his debut on April 10 against the Houston Dynamo. He’s made 10 total appearances for the ‘Caps during the regular season heading into the club’s matchup against Toronto FC on Wednesday (7:30 pm ET, watch LIVE online), but his most recent showings were perhaps the most telling of where he stands on the team’s depth chart.

For most of this season, Brovsky has deputized when one or both of midfielders Terry Dunfield and Gershon Koffie have been unavailable due to international duty or injury, but in the Whitecaps’ last two matches, that changed.

Vancouver’s victory over the Philadelphia Union on June 18, however, marked the first time Brovsky started when both Dunfield and Koffie were available and healthy. Brovsky kept his starting place for the following match against Sporting Kansas City last weekend.

The 22-year-old midfielder was enthusiastic but diplomatic about being chosen to start for the first time when the full midfield was available for selection.

“It’s great to get the confidence from the coaches, and get the nod,” Brovsky told MLSsoccer.com. “Us three [myself, Dunfield, Koffie], whoever we play with, we’re comfortable.”